https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2024/09/30/ambrose-fiction-allegra-goodman
I have several of Goodman's novels over the years and they always speak to me. This story also rang true.
Lily's parents have divorced, and although the separations is only touched on, it is clear Lily is troubled. Luckily she has an involved teacher who gives her a notebook and suggests she write. Which she does, to the exclusion of other interests. In fact, most of the adults in her life are paying attention to her, but she has built a little fortress for herself. She is feeling very fragile in the world and wants to live in an earlier time, be homeschooled, not be held accountable for various deficits, be freed from issues with her older sister. In other words, she is like most of us at some point in their life.Apparently several of Goodman's recent books deal with this family. Enjoyed the story.
4 comments:
I suspect I've mentioned I knew Goodman slightly at our Hawaiian high school, and yet I've not been keeping up with her work. Thanks for this pointer!
I've really enjoyed the Goodman stories I've read. One of my discoveries of this year.
Oh, that's interesting, Patti - a story about a blossoming writer. Glad you enjoyed it.
That sounds like a good story. I took a look at the books she had written. Some of them sound very interesting, especially The Other Side of the Island.
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